Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  A Great Car - 2007 Audi A8
  By TDL - June 1 - 11:41 pm

  This is my third Audi, and I find them to be a superb balance between a luxury and sporty design philosophy. The vehicle feels like a smaller, more nimble vehicle, but has more room than practically anything else in this segment. The interior design and fit and finish are best in class. The S8 variant is an attractive alternative, but we also had a sporty car in the garage, and decided to go with the long wheel base and the extra rear leg room which precludes the S8 package. But, I also feel the extra length gives the car a more flowing appearance in the side view. Fuel economy is what you expect in this class, and when considering the performance (and the way I drive), it is rather good.

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  Best all arround ever - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Greenmx - June 1 - 11:00 am

  After having 3 and 5 series BMW crossovers and SUV, I finally got the Allroad. Wish I had gotten one years ago. Amazing ride, power, versatility, comfort. Quattro system is a blessing in bad weather, adjustable suspension works like a charm, family dog loves riding in the back separated by standard mesh screen. Perfect! Do yourself a favor and get one now!

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  sporty, fun and classy - 2005 Audi A4
  By clckwd - June 1 - 4:50 am

  After driving a Toyota Supra for years, I bought the Audi 3.0 quattro convertible and havent regretted it at all . While not the sports car the Supra is, the Audi handles great and adds a luxurious interior to boot. From the inside you can hardly tell its a convertible--quiet and no shakes even at high speeds. On the highway, the car practically drives itself. The seats adjust a thousand ways so anyone can be comfortable. I love the way the passenger side mirror tilts down so you can see the curb when backing up. With the top down & the wind deflector up, the joys of convertible ownership are impeccable, and snow is no object either with the quattro. A great all-season vehicle.

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  Best SUV on the Planet!! - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Peter Wechsler - May 31 - 6:01 pm

  This is by far the best SUV on the planet, save perhaps the VW Toureg which is made at the same factory as the Q7. The Q7 is much larger than the Toureg. The quality and ride are just outstanding and in line with the Audi reliability for building world class vehicles. The interior fit and finish are first class, and if you fold down the third row you have incredible storage space. Of course if you fold down the second row also, the storage space is huge. As far as safety goes, the Q7 comes with all the state-of-the-art safety features. This is in line with the safety committments from both Volkswagen and Audi, both of whom are always in the forefront of automotive safety.

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  My A4 is great - 1999 Audi A4
  By prm - May 31 - 5:50 pm

  A very fun car to drive in the city and on the highway. Fun in the mountains as well. Great performance, enjoyed the tiptronic. The suspension performs very well. Enjoyed the 1.8T engine, good power.

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  I Love This Car - 2006 Audi A4
  By evlmpyr - May 31 - 5:00 am

  I have the 2.0 Quattro with a 6 spd and every option offered at the time. This car is a lot of fun to drive and certainly has more than enough power. Rock solid in the curves, even at high speed. The new 2007 navigation update made some changes to the radio that I am not crazy about. My car has 15,000 miles and is still a great ride. Just traded it though on a 2007 2.0 cabriolet. I have had many Audi cars going back to 1974 and they get better all the time.

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  Truly an Audi - 2007 Audi Q7
  By WK - May 30 - 5:33 pm

  Got a rare S-Line version with factory 21" wheels that are polished on the face and painted grey on the inside. Car looks very menacing all in lava grey. Handles very well, although not quite as quick as our dearly departed Audi allroad 2.7T. But torque is phenomenal. S-Line 3-point steering wheel mounted shift paddles allow for even smoother gear changes than those possible on my DSG equipped Audi TT 3.2Q.

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  My dream SUV - 2007 Audi Q7
  By ThaR8Don - May 29 - 10:34 pm

  I think this is the most well built and value packed SUV on the market today. Ive looked at many others such as the ML500, X5 4.6, Range Rover Sport and GL450 - none of them compared in my opinion. Dont get me wrong, they all have their strengths, but overall I felt the Audi Q7 was the best fit. For the money what you get in the Q7 is an exceptional value. I have enjoyed the drive and find it hard not to drive. I also have a Lincoln Navigator and an Audi A8L - the A8L used to be on the top of my list to drive but this Q7 edges it out ever so slightly. The Navigator was nice but it lacks that European road feel.

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  Great Car Would Buy Again!! - 2017 Audi Q3
  By Ram Krishnamurti - May 29 - 7:42 pm

  This is a great car got it when my son was 5 now he is learning to drive with it. The cost to own is a little higher than say, a Nissan, but you are getting your moneys worth with this purchase. I would definatley buy this car again.

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  04 S4 -Tremendous - 2004 Audi S4
  By RaudiS4 - May 29 - 12:22 pm

  This car is fantastic. Surefooted, easy to drive hard, fun, reliable and solid (read, safe). The AWD and traction control make this a serious toy for us "older" kids. And, when you think youve mastered it, turn off the traction control.